Little Lake
About Little Lake
Little Lake is a 71-acre lake near Ely in St. Louis County, Minnesota. It reaches 24 feet at its deepest point, and has roughly 2.2 miles of shoreline. DNR surveys put average water clarity at about 6 feet.
Minnesota DNR fisheries surveys list 5 fish species here, including walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and burbot. The DNR has stocking records for the lake, so check the stocking report for the most recent species and year classes. The most recent fisheries survey on file dates to 2023.
Public access is carry-in only — plan on a canoe, kayak or small boat you can hand-launch.
Plan Your Visit to Little Lake
- 71 acres, up to 24 feet deep, near Ely
- Carry-in access only — bring a boat you can hand-launch unless you confirm a ramp
- Game fish on the DNR survey: walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, and burbot
- Average water clarity around 6 feet
Access & Fees
- Public access
- Carry-in access only
- Launch fee
- Free at DNR accesses
- Managed by
- US Forest Service
Conditions
- Surface area
- 71 acres
- Max depth
- 24 ft
- Shoreline
- 2.2 mi
- Water clarity
- 6 ft
- Shallows (under 15 ft)
- 50 acres
Rules & Regulations
- A Minnesota fishing license is required for anglers 16 and older
- Drain plugs must be out and all water drained before leaving any access; remove aquatic plants from boats and trailers
- Children under 10 must wear a life jacket on a boat that is underway
Facilities
- 2 carry-in accesses
- Ice is never completely safe — check thickness yourself before walking or driving on any lake
Angler's Report
Minnesota DNR LakeFinder- Species on survey
- 5
- Game fish
- 4
- Stocked
- Yes
- Last DNR survey
- 2023
- Special regulations
- No
- Fishing pier
- No
- Ice fishing
- Yes
- Boat launch
- No
Fishing data: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Regulations change — confirm with the current DNR fishing regulations.
Activities
Amenities
Fish Species
Plan your trip to Little Lake
Compare Little Lake against the top-ranked lakes nearby, then map your route.
Nearby Lakes
Birch Lake
75 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt7,074 acres
1.2 miles away
Blueberry Lake
45 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Rothman125 acres
2.6 miles away
One Pine Lake
50 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely354 acres
3.2 miles away
Perch Lake
42 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Babbitt100 acres
4.2 miles away
Whisper Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely46 acres
4.8 miles away
Johnson Lake
52 out of 100 Lake ScoreSt. Louis · Ely456 acres
4.9 miles away
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Little Lake?
Little Lake is in St. Louis County, Minnesota, near Ely. It covers 71 acres and reaches 24 feet deep.
How big and how deep is Little Lake?
Little Lake covers 71 acres with about 2.2 miles of shoreline. Its maximum depth is 24 feet.
What fish can you catch at Little Lake?
Minnesota DNR surveys list Walleye, Northern Pike, Yellow Perch, and Burbot. A Minnesota fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older.
Is there a public boat launch on Little Lake?
Public access is on record, but not a trailer ramp: carry-in access only.
Can you swim at Little Lake?
There is no mapped public swim beach at Little Lake. Minnesota's public waters are open to swimming where you have legal access, but there are no lifeguards or water-quality monitoring away from designated beaches.
Is Little Lake stocked?
Yes. The Minnesota DNR has stocking records for Little Lake; species and numbers vary by year, so see the stocking report on DNR LakeFinder.